This update is produced by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) concerning its emergency response to earthquake in Kagera Region. Funded by the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund, CERF, IOM is carrying out relief activities in the NFI and temporary shelter sector. UNICEF is supporting access to safe and quality education and school water and sanitation facilities for schools affected by the earthquake in Kagera, as well as protecting children affected by the earthquake through psychosocial support. IOM and UNICEF are both working closely with the Tanzanian Red Cross Society as their implementing partner. This update highlights progresses made as of January 17, 2017.

Background

Following the earthquake in Kagera Region, which occurred on 10 September 2016, over 117,700 people have lost their homes.

A UN assessment led by IOM was conducted from 20-22 September 2016, jointly with Government Representatives (from the Disaster Management Department of the Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Secretariat, District Municipal and Councils), UN agencies, a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team, and NGOs.

Based on the findings of the assessment, IOM in collaboration with UNICEF developed a joint emergency response project which received funding from the Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) of the UN. The project has a life span of 6 months.

The planned project activities will be carried out in 3 target districts of the Region, Bukoba Municipal, Bukoba Rural and Misenyi.

Highlight

According to the plan, IOM will support the distribution of 1000 NFI kits, 1,000 shelter kits and 100 tents, targeting a total of 1000 affected households, while UNICEF will support 10,000 households through household water treatment and safe storage..

The Tanzanian Red Cross Society is IOM’s Implementing Partner (IP) of this project, while UNICEF is working with the Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control Organization (EEPCO).

IOM in collaboration with Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) deployed an Emergency Response Project Coordinator whose duty station is in Bukoba. The project has also recruited program assistant to support coordination and monitoring efforts.

To date, some 3090 mattresses and 3090 mosquito nets have arrived at the Bukoba warehouse. Moreover, two-thirds of the planned poles for shelter construction have been delivered for temporary shelter construction.

IOM and UNICEF are consulting closely with regional and district authorities to coordinate the implementation of the project

As requested by the regional authorities, district administrations have provided lists of beneficiaries based on the given criteria for identifying most vulnerable households

The Implementing Partner, TRCS, has been conducting beneficiary verification for the distribution of NFI kits. Currently, beneficiary data analysis is underway.

UNICEF is supporting the procurement of building materials and delivery to Mugeza Mseto Special Needs Primary School in Bukoba Municipal Council, which is catering for children with various types of disability. This was one of the worst affected schools. The project involves repair and rebuilding of key buildings that were damaged (including the classrooms, dormitories, and the sick bay), as well as constructing latrines.

Next steps

Preparedness for distribution, including mobilization of volunteers, accessing more warehouse spaces, processing local purchases and importation, is underway. Distribution can begin once NFI household kits and temporary shelter kits are complete.